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Start with the right succulents

Not all succulents are suited for indoor growing. Choosing succulents that don’t like full sun, but prefer shade or low light will make a big difference in the success of your indoor succulent garden.

In general, succulents that have bright colors (such as reds, purples and oranges) don’t do well indoors. They require some direct sun and more light than is generally available indoors.

A great place to start is with succulents that are naturally green. A few great examples include Haworthia and Gasteria varieties like the ones pictured below.

As much light as possible

When succulents are indoors it’s often hard for them to get enough sunlight. Outdoors they generally need about 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day.

However, indoors, you’ll want to place your succulents near a window that gets light all day. If this isn’t an option, place your succulents near the brightest window or brightest area of your home or office.

Learn more by watching this video:

You’ll want to keep your plants as close to the window as you can. In rare cases a succulent can actually get sunburned if the light from the window gets too hot. This tends to happen most with south facing windows in the summer (if you’re in the northern hemisphere). Most of the time this isn’t an issue though.

If your succulents aren’t getting enough light you’ll notice they will start to stretch. They spread out their leaves and bend toward the light to get as much exposure as possible.

Stretched out leaves is a common fate for most colorful succulents, such as Echeverias, that are grown indoors.

If you find your succulents are beginning to stretch, move them to an area that gets more light. However, if they are in the brightest part of your home or office and still start to stretch, you’ll want to supplement with a grow light.

You don’t have to leave your stretched out succulents looking long and leggy though. Just cut off the top and propagate it! The bonus is that you’ll also get more plants 🙂

Featured Resource: Top 10 Indoor Succulents and More

Get my list of 10 easy-to-find indoor succulents. You’ll also learn how to find other varieties that work well indoors and tips for keeping your succulents healthy.

Also know that succulents have a dormant period when don’t need as much water then. Generally this is in the cooler months of the year. Since they aren’t actively growing, they don’t use up as much water.

I get quite a few emails with people who think their succulents are dying because the leaves are wilting and shriveling up. Here is a little secret, just like all plants, eventually the lower leaves of succulents are going to shrivel up and die.

You should only be concerned about dying leaves if the newest or uppermost leaves on your succulent are shriveling. If it’s just the ones near the bottom of the stem (closest to the soil), you don’t have anything to worry about!

Avoid Glass Containers (or anything that doesn’t drain)

Glass containers generally aren’t a great long term potting solution for succulents. They do not like to be sitting in soggy soil, so a glass jar or terrarium, which does not have anywhere for water to drain out, is not going to make your succulent happy.

Another downside to glass containers is lack of breathability. Succulents need good airflow to maintain healthy roots and therefore healthy stem and leaves.

If you have a glass container that you love and are determined to plant your succulents in it, take a look at this post to learn about watering succulents in non-draining containers.

If you can help it, I really recommend staying away from glass unless you know your succulent really well and are confident in your watering skills. And, if you want to learn all about why my favorite pots to use indoors are terra cotta and glazed ceramics, just click here!

You can find a great selection of pots with drainage holes for a great price on Mountain Crest Gardens and Etsy. They provide great air flow and allow the soil to dry out easily.

Bugs

If you are following healthy practices for your succulents as indoor house plants (proper watering, well draining soil, light, airflow, etc.), bugs are generally not a problem.

But… if you happen to purchase a plant with bugs already, they can easily become a big headache.

A common bug new growers encounter are gnats. Generally you’ll only get gnats if your soil stays too wet. Gnats are generally avoidable by using a well draining soil mix and allowing your soil to dry out between watering.

Another bug that surfaces all too often is mealy bugs. They are nasty white little guys that hold on to your succulents for dear life.

Mealy bugs on the center of a purple succulent

If you do get mealy bugs, you’ll want to spray them with rubbing alcohol and pour alcohol over the soil to kill any eggs they may have laid. Learn more about treating mealybugs here.

Have fun!

The great thing about growing succulents indoors is they’ll generally look good for several weeks even if you are a “succulent killer.”

But, hopefully you feel better prepared to take care of your succulents indoors now! Make sure you don’t let things get too stressful. After all, succulent gardening is supposed to be fun and therapeutic.

For a quick overview of some succulents that do well indoors, check out this video!

Growing succulents indoors is so rewarding! And if you follow the tips you’ve learned here you are on your way to success. If you know someone who is gettinginto succulents, be sure to share this post with them to help ensure their succulents thrive too!

Featured Resource: Top 10 Indoor Succulents and More

Get my list of 10 easy-to-find indoor succulents. You’ll also learn how to find other varieties that work well indoors and tips for keeping your succulents healthy.

Click here to download the guide

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Want to get the most out of your succulent growing experience?

It’s time to do a little stalking… succulent stalking that is!

This workbook and journal will help save you time and stress! Simply print off the pages, follow the instructions, and you’ll come away confident that your succulents are getting the care they need.